When Nick Weber applied to the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), his 3.5 GPA, 1300 SAT score, and undeclared major weren't enough make him stand out -- his application was rejected. Even though he'd been admitted to other California colleges, UCSB was his first choice, so Nick wrote a letter of appeal. In it, he elaborated on his interest in being an art studio major, and submitted slides of his ceramic work, as well as news about a recent award he'd won along with the letter. Two months later, UCSB wrote back with good news: They changed their minds -- Nick was in!

Nick is an example of one of the best-kept secrets in the college admissions process: Just because a college rejects your application doesn't mean all hope is lost. Though statistics are not widely available, an Associated Press survey found the University of California reversed its decision on 1,400 of the 5,000 appeals it received in 2001. At other public colleges, estimates reveal about 10 percent of appeals are successful.

Take heed, though: Private colleges rarely change their minds. Despite the numbers, Nick was one of the lucky among the 900+ students in 2002 who had appealed their rejections to UCSB, which accepted 51 percent of freshman applicants, according to admissions director Christine Van Gieson. Initially, only about eight of these decisions were reversed. But when the university felt it could accommodate a larger incoming freshman class, another 50 appeals were granted.

A Change Would Do You Good
Unlike many colleges, UCSB doesn't wait-list students, so only those who have appealed their rejection can be admitted if the college decides to increase enrollment. While appeals are not encouraged, every rejection letter contains instructions on the process, which should present "new and compelling" evidence of the student's qualifications.

Jennifer Wong's appeal included a demonstration of improved senior year grades, along with a personal letter in which she revealed some family problems. Eddie Hsu's letter enumerated the reasons he felt qualified: An SAT score 250 points higher than the average, musical scholarships, and awards for his clarinet performances. He also mentioned some of the university's professors after scouring its Web site to find faculty whose interests matched his own. Both Jennifer and Eddie had their appeals accepted, and they too were both admitted to UCSB.

Like most colleges that accept appeals, UCSB requests a letter and up to three recommendations, with an option of adding further supporting information such as a portfolio. Recommendation letters often come from teachers and guidance counselors, but the appeal letter should be written by the student. "Sometimes we get a letter from a teacher or grandparent, and we don't know if it's really the student who wants to appeal," says Van Gieson.

Mark Corkery, president of the National Institute for Educational Planning, (Irvine, CA) believes the student should be in the driver's seat. "If the parent calls, the assumption is that he/she wants the child to go there."

Follow Up to Avoid Let-Down
In some cases, admissions rejections can be the result of errors, so the first step following a rejection is to verify that the college received all the required information. Both the student and a guidance counselor might call separately and then compare notes.

"Ask specifically and pointedly, 'Was there anything missing in my folder? Did you receive all the information I sent?' Then state what you sent," advises Corkery, who's seen students get in after initial rejections because their latest SAT or ACT scores were never received. "Follow-up is absolutely critical," he says. "It's not considered an intrusion. You will be recognized for it rather than punished."

"Of course they should check," agrees Mara O'Laughlin, admissions director of Hobart and William Smith Colleges (Geneva, NY). "If we're in the business of 'don't bother me,' we're in the wrong business. Mistakes happen -- we're all human, and humans can correct mistakes."

Even beyond checking to see that your application is in order, Corkery suggests frequent contact with admissions offices. "Let the college know as early and as often as you can that you have a high level of interest," Corkery advises. "More contact with admissions is not bad."

In most cases, however, admissions appeals are accepted because of additional information. That means you can set yourself apart with new application info by demonstrating a real passion for a particular school in each application. "The admissions office is trying to assess the appropriate fit of the student to the campus," says Corkery. And get this ­- they're also looking for the answer to this question: 'If we accept the student, will the student accept us?'

"Colleges have to meet their numbers as well," Corkery explains.

To Appeal or Not to Appeal
Not everyone thinks  

appealing a rejection

  is a good idea. "I'm not sure that's really the way to go," says Bill Mayher, author of The College Admissions Mystique: How You Can Take Back Control (Noonday Press, 1998). He urges students to stop judging colleges in terms of selectivity, meaning that you shouldn't assume a college is top-notch if it's hard to get into, and less prestigious if admission is not as competitive.

"A college rejection is not just an indication of your brains," explains Mayher. "Colleges don't give acceptances as merit badges for an exemplary life. Their job is to get the college freshman class they want. That includes hockey goalies, football fullbacks, kids from North Dakota, alumni kids, and kids from different backgrounds. And those kids may be different than you, so they've taken up a lot of places in the class."

Instead, Mayher encourages you to work hard at applying to the right set of colleges and then focusing on where you are accepted. "There are several colleges that will work for you that you can get into," he says. "That's the deal you should be shooting for."

Still, dreams die hard, and not everyone is willing to take "no" for an answer. Eddie Hsu had his heart set on UCSB, and his determination paid off. "It was my future, and I really couldn't stand going to a second-rate university," he says.

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